Daly Cherry-Evans’ big money move to Gold Coast was almost scuppered by the embattled NRL club’s cocaine scandal.

Cherry-Evans said the ongoing crisis that engulfed the club in the pre-season made him rethink his commitment to the struggling franchise.

The representative playmaker committed to the Titans on a four-year $4 million deal on Friday but not before having some serious second thoughts.

“Yeah it definitely spooked me early on. That’s an easy one. As soon as it came out I took a step back and said ‘what’s going on here’,” Cherry-Evans told Fox Sports’ Sterlo On The Couch.

“But as the dust settled, we understood there are a few individuals involved with it but as a club they are in a great place to move forward.”

DCE also revealed Cronulla only narrowly missed out on securing his signature.

His contract negotiations were criticised as a circus after he was caught on camera meeting with Sharks officials. But Cherry-Evans said those images embarrassed him.

“I definitely understand (that perception),” he said.

“There’s not a part of me that I guess doesn’t feel embarrassed by being in the media spotlight like that. It definitely wasn’t a situation I wanted to be in.

“I personally can guarantee I didn’t call the media to be there.

“Throughout this whole process I’d like to think I have been tight-lipped about what I wanted to do.

“I have been trying to do it in my own time with the respect of my teammates. That was a very unfortunate situation I can’t change.

“I know in myself I have done nothing wrong. I can only hope I haven’t offended my teammates.

“I was very close (to joining the Sharks). I can’t thank them enough for the respect they showed me through the whole process.”